Winter sports in an indoor facility - Accident and injury trends

Along with the increasing popularity of indoor winter sport activities, the need for specific investigations with respect to injury prevention is growing. This statement was the background for a one-year study in which all sports injuries/accidents reported at the indoor artificial ski slope in Neuss (Germany) were documented and evaluated by way of an accident protocol. Injuries requiring medical attention or treatment were documented in the casualty department and injured persons were interviewed by a telephone survey regarding cause, type, degree, and possible consequences of their injury. A total of 372 skiing accidents were reported, 64.5 % concerning men, 35.5 % women. While the majority of ski hall visitors are skiers (57.9 %) compared to snowboarders (40.1 %, tire-tubing or others: 2.0 %), more accidents happened to snowboarders (55.6 %) than to skiers (33.3 %; tubing: 3.8 %, others: 1.1 %, not known 6.2 %). Winter sport beginners account for the largest group of accidents victims (> 40 %). Snowboarders seem to suffer a particular risk since they prefer to use the very challenging funpark section of the indoor facility, which is provoking more dangerous situations leading to accidents as a consequence.